Representative Brooke Boden is seeking re-election to the Iowa House of Representatives. What motivates her and what will she fight for if re-elected?
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What motivated you to run for office?
What motivated me to run for office really started with me simply being a mom.
My daughter was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and I quickly learned how difficult it could be for Iowa families to get the care they needed. At the time, Iowa law only allowed treatment for 30 days, and I knew that wasn’t enough for families facing this disease.
I wasn’t a politician. I was a mom who knew something wasn’t right.
When my own representative at the time wouldn’t take up the legislation, I decided I wasn’t going to give up. I advocated at the Capitol, met with legislators, told our stories, and spent months fighting to get a bill passed that would protect Iowans. Now due to that piece of legislation Lyme disease patients can be treated past 30 days in Iowa.
That experience changed me; it lit a fire in me.
I realized that you don’t have to come from politics to make a difference. Sometimes the people who understand the problems best are the people who are living them—parents, teachers, farmers, small-business owners, veterans, and working families.
I also realized that our government needs more people who bring real-life experiences, strong values, and common sense to the table. People who aren’t afraid to speak up when something isn’t right and who will keep fighting until they get results.
That’s what motivated me to run for office.
I didn’t run because I had always dreamed of being a politician. I ran because I had
experienced firsthand what happens when an ordinary person decides to get involved. I knew there were other families and other issues that needed someone willing to stand up and fight for them.
I wanted to be that person.
I believe our state is strongest when everyday Iowans have a voice in the decisions that affect their families, their communities, and their future. My journey into public service began with being a mom fighting for my child—and that is still at the heart of why I continue to serve today.
What began as a fight for my own child became a commitment to stand up for every Iowa child and every family. I want every Iowa family to have access to quality, affordable health care, the opportunity to live in a community they can afford, and the ability to keep more of what they earn so they can provide for and support their children. That is why I continue to serve: to make Iowa a place where families can thrive and every child has the opportunity to succeed.
What past experiences prepared you for this position?
I bring six years of hands-on legislative experience, along with a lifetime of real-world experience outside of government. I have worked as a small-business owner, licensed insurance agent, FAA-licensed repairman, and legislative clerk. Those experiences have given me an understanding of how government decisions impact working families, businesses, and communities—not just how they look on paper.
During my time in the Iowa House, I have had the opportunity to lead several different areas of government. I have served as Chair of Government Oversight and Chair of Veterans Affairs, and I currently serve as Chair of the Local Government Committee.
Each of those roles has given me a different perspective on how government operates, how to identify problems, and, most importantly, how to find practical solutions. I also bring experience in writing legislation, working through the committee process, building relationships with colleagues, and advocating for policies that make a real difference for Iowans. I understand that being an effective legislator isn’t just about having good ideas—it is about listening, doing the work, building support, and seeing hose ideas through.
But the experience I value most is being a wife and mother. It keeps me grounded in what really matters. The decisions we make at the Capitol aren’t just political issues—they affect our families, our children’s futures, our communities, and the opportunities available to the next generation. I bring that perspective with me every day, and it is what keeps me focused on making Iowa a better place to live, work, raise a family, and build a future.
What core values shape your approach to public service?
The core values that shape my approach to public service are faith, family, hard work, honesty, integrity, accountability, and service. I have always believed that hard work and honesty are the foundation of a good life. Those values were instilled in me long before I ever ran for office, and they continue to guide how I approach my work at the State House. I believe you should work hard, keep your word, take responsibility for your actions, and always do what you believe is right—even when it isn’t the easiest path.
I also believe government works best when it remembers who it serves. Every decision we make affects real people, real families, and real communities. I believe taxpayers deserve accountability and transparency, and that government should be a good steward of the money entrusted to it.
Most importantly, I believe public service is about serving others, not yourself. I want to listen to Iowans, understand the challenges they face, and work toward practical solutions that make a difference in their everyday lives. The foundation of hard work and honesty that has guided my life will continue to help me serve more effectively at theState House.
What issues are most important to you?
The issues most important to me are the issues that directly affect Iowa families and
their ability to build a good life.
That starts with our children. I believe parents should have a strong voice in their children’s education, that our schools should prepare students for the future, and that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. My legislative work has included education, special education, student safety, curriculum, and policies that support children and families.
I also believe families need the freedom and financial ability to make the best decisions for themselves. That means working to lower taxes, make Iowa more affordable, expand opportunities, and ensure families can keep more of what they earn.
Accountability in government is equally important to me. I have served as Chair of Government Oversight and now serve as Chair of Local Government because I believe government should be transparent, responsible with taxpayer dollars, and focused on solving problems-not creating more of them.
I also care deeply about protecting the freedoms that make Iowa a great place to live, supporting our veterans and those who serve, and making sure our local communities have a strong voice in the decisions that affect them.
At the heart of all of these issues is one simple belief: Iowa should be a place where families can afford to live, raise their children, work hard, and build a future they are proud of.
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